Purpose: Concerning background checks for licensed early learning providers and their employees: WAC 110-06-0040 is amended to ensure that any current licensed provider who has not undergone a fingerprint-based background check for previous license applications does so at renewal. WAC 110-15-0041 is amended to ensure that all new employees undergo fingerprint-based background checks and receive preemployment clearance authorizations beginning October 2020. Rule changes comply with the reauthorized Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDF) prohibiting employees from working in an early learning program until a fingerprint-based background check is conducted and the department of children, youth, and families issues clearance authorization. Compliance with CCDF is necessary for continued receipt of grant moneys.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 110-06-0040 and 110-06-0041.

This section applies to all subject individuals other than in-home/relative providers.

(1) Subject individuals associated with early learning services applying for a first-time background check must complete the DCYF background check application process ((through DCYF to include))including, but not limited to:

(a) Submitting a completed background check application;

(b) Completing the required fingerprint process; and

(c) Paying all required fees as provided in WAC 110-06-0044.

(2) All subject individuals ((who have been previously)) qualified by the department to have unsupervised access to children in care ((and))who are renewing their applications must:

(a) Submit the new background check application through DCYF;

(b) Submit payment of all required fees as provided in WAC 110-06-0044; and

(c) Complete the required fingerprint process if the subject individual lives or has lived outside of Washington state since the previous background check was completed, or has not previously completed the fingerprint process required by this section.